men receive new strength and power from God to obey Phil. 2.13 6 By Nature we are Servants to the Devil and our own Lusts Rebels and Enemies to and against God as was shewed before We have chosen the service of Lusts and Satan and are well pleased and contented with it do it most willingly and readily and are not weary of it but against God we lift up the heel and kick throw off his Yoke and reject his Authority over us in his Laws and Statutes Joh. 8.44 Deut. 32. Eph. 2.2 Psal 2. Rom. 6. 7 By Nature we are lovers of sin and haters of God 2 Tim. 3.4 Rom. 1.30 We sin upon choice Isa 66.3 and are greatly delighted with it Pro. 2.14 As the Law of God is to Believers namely their joy and delight Rom. 7.22 Psal 1.2 so is sin and wickedness to Unbelievers whilest such they rejoyce not only to be evil but also to do it and to work it or in it with both hands Jer. 11.15 It is their meat and drink their pleasure and satisfaction to sin and wallow in the Mire of one or other abomination 8 By Nature we are dead in sins and trespasses Eph. 2.1.5 and live stinking above ground like filthy Carrion We are unsensible of our sin and misery or of the wrong we have done to God Men and our own Souls We are all by Nature like some condemned Malefactors who are not touched with their Guilt or Punishment Neither Gods Truths Promises Precepts or Threatnings neither his Judgments or Mercies will pierce or make any saving impressions on us 9 By Nature we are void of all Grace We have neither Faith to believe nor Affection to love God we neither will that which is good nor believe that which is true nor yet love that which is lovely although we are indispensably bound to do it in order to Eternal Life He that believeth not shall be damned Mark 16.16 and if any man love not ou◠Lord Jesus namely in sincerity let him be accursed 1 Cor. 16.22 Eph. 6. ult Therefore we stand in absolute need of Regeneration that we may be enabled to believe in and love Christ aright 10 And lastly By Nature we do not so much as desire to be made happy by Free Grace in the Lords own way A happiness indeed we do desire but then we would obtain it in our own way which will not do it What men desire that they chuse to and for themselves they desire happiness and desire and chuse their ow◠way to it Isa 66.3 Rom. 10.3 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man but the end thereof are the ways of death So we read it but J. and T. render it Cujus finis est via multiplex as Mortem the end of that seeming right way is manifold or leads men divers ways to death and destruction Pro. 14.12 and yet it seems the right way unto them towards the obtainment of happiness But such is our Depravity Stupidity Atheism and Blindness as that we see not desire not to know the right way to it neither are we freely willing to find and get it in the ways God hath appointed God hath appointed Faith in Christ Repentance towards God Acts 20.21 and Gospel-Holiness Rom. 6.22 Heb. 14.14 to be the way to happiness but men will rather lose their happiness than have it in these ways of Gods own appointment They will have God to bow and condescend to them but they will not bend to nor comply with the will and way of God so that if God will save them it must be on their own terms not Gods for they do by no means like or desire to win Heaven by Self-denial Faith Repentance true Holiness and Gospel-obedience but in the way of their own hearts Eccl. 11.9 The way of Gods prescribing is contrary to their Lusts Humours Inclinations Interests and Affections Happiness they would have but with all these They do not account their obtainment of happiness of that weight and moment as to deny themselves of these to get it All the Moral perswasions in the World will not make them change their minds but that they may be happy on other and easier terms than God propounds unto them In Job 21.14 there is this description given of us as in our Natural states They say to God depart from us for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways that is the ways of God which are appointed by God to lead and conduct men to Eternal Happiness Now if men do not so much as desire happiness much less will or can they seriously seek it in the Lords way without which yea and also striving for it men shall not find nor obtain it Luke 13.24 1 Cor. 9.24 Thus we may see by these few things the necessity of Regeneration from the state and condition we are all in by Nature I have said but little of what I could say of this matter but I think I have said enough to evince and prove the absolute necessity of a new state by what hath been said of our old how unable and uncapable we are to answer close up with prosecute and obtain the ends of God in our first Make or his knowing us in his own Image and Likeness without Regeneration How utterly unable we are to serve his holy designs without his special Grace renewing and new moulding us for his own glorious ends and purposes which is done by Regeneration Q. What have you else to offer for the further demonstrating and proving this great Truth namely the absolute necessity of Regeneration for our fuller information and conviction for it is a hard matter to believe it and there are but few that do believe what you have already said yea there are many that preach quite contrary Doctrine and perswade men that they are Regenerated in and by their Water Baptism and therefore they need no other Regeneration Answ I shall therefore further prove and demonstrate this Truth to you and shew you the absolute necessity of it in these following particulars 1 No man can know Jesus Christ rightly and savingly without Regeneration therefore Regeneration is absolutely necessary for the right knowledge or of knowing Christ which is Life Eternal Joh. 17.3 And that we cannot so know him until we are Regenerated hath been already proved For we are darkness Eph. 5.8 and walk in darkness because darkness hath blinded our eyes 1 Joh. 2.11 2 No man can rightly believe in Christ and in God the Father without Regeneration and therefore it is absolutely needful It is absolutely necessary to Salvation that we do rightly believe because it is Gods Statute Law that such as do not so believe shall not see life but the wrath of God abideth on them Joh. 3.36 Now that none believe in Christ unto Salvation is evident because our sin and Gods Curse hath concluded or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 shut up all in unbelief and believing is of Grace Act. 1.18.2.1 3 No man
regenerated in comparison of Jesus Christ his Gospel Names and Glory Self-denial and Christ exalting is one of the first Lessons he Learns and the first work and concern he is busied about Assoon as Paul was regenerated his heart was raised up to this duty bent and resolvedly set upon it and without delay prosecuted it Lord says he what wilt thou have me to do Acts. 9.6 and he tels us that assoon as he knew his Lords will he consulted not with flesh and blood that is with self ease and safety no but presently fell to work namely to exalt Christ save Souls and enlarge his Masters kingdome Gal. 1.15 16. Paul did immediately joyn Issues with Christ and freely and fully closed up with his Terms propounded by himself to all that will be his disciples Mark 8.34 Luk. 14.26 27. Luk. 18. and believe it so it is with you if you are his Disciples indeed Joh. 8.31 if you are born again of the Spirit Joh. 3.5 Christ Jesus the Lord is pretious in your Eies and high in your esteem your Lives Estates Honours Liberties Dignities and Relations are small matters to you in comparison of Christ his name Gospel and Interests And therefore your desire choice design aime scope and endeavours are all to greaten magnify and exalt him As he is the fairest of ten thousands unto you so you desire chuse and labour that he may be so by you It is a fixed principle in your hearts a stated Case in your Judgments and Consciences and a setled frame and bent of your Souls There is nothing in the World more pleasing and acceptable to you and there is not any thing that more refreshes your mindes and delights your hearts then this that you have a Christ to Glorify and that you may Glorify and Honour him The new Creature is formed for Christ to be and live 〈◊〉 the praise of his Glorious Grace Eph. 1.6.12 They see and acknowledge when Regenerated that they are no more their own but born again that they might Glorify God with their â—odies and Spirits which are the Lords 1 Cor. 6.19.20 and that they that live should live wholly to him who hath Created them in Christ Jesus unto good workes 2 Cor. 5.15 Eph. 2.10 One of the first questions or enquiries of the new Creature is how and wherein he may live to God please and honour him and bring forth fruit whereby he may be glorifyed Joh. 15.8 it is the great case and interest their hearts and souls are concerned in and they are grieved when they cannot reach it but receive or count it matter of joy when he is really loved honoured and exalted by any especially when they can do it themselves It is so natural to new Creatures or Regenerate men and they are so interessed in and with Jesus Christ his concerns as that they take and account what is done to or against him is done to or against themselves They are like the Lord Jesus their head in this too Namely that what iâ— Christs Indignity is theirs and what is Christs glory and honour is theirs also His reproach and honour lays nearer their hearts then any or all their own Earthly and Bodily concernments The Lord Jesus accounts his Peoples Reproaches Indignities Prosperity and Happiness his own such is his great love and respects to and care of them Isa 63.9 Acts 9.5 Math. 10.42 Math. 25.40 Zach. 2.8 If they be honoured he is so if they be abused he is abused and if they suffer he doth so to In all their Afflictions he is afflicted And as it is with Christ in their concerns so it is in measure with them in Christs concerns Is his Name Gospel and Worship under a cloud of contempt and reproach it is matter of grief and mourning to them and when they are loved exalted and dignifyed it is their glory and joy Phil. 5.17 Psal 119. And that it is so indeed may farther be evidenced 1. From their near Relations New Creatures or Regenerate men are the Children of God He hath begotten them by his Grace and Gospel Jam. 1.18 1. Pet. 1.3.14 and all ingenious Children will concern themselves in and with their Fathers honour and indignity and naturally seek to advance and exalt them all they can or ought to do How much more doth the Divine nature and Spirit of God in Believers prompt and instigate them to do so to their heavenly Father and that by all the wayes and means they may 2. They are the Spouses of the Lord Jesus and he is their Husband Cant. 2.16 2 Cor. 11.2 Jer. 3.14 Christ hath chosen and taken them to himself Hosea 3.2 3. to be his loving and affectionate Brides Joh. 15.16 and they have chosen and taken him to be their Husband and become one with himself The Lord Jesus Regenerates men to make them capable of chosing him for theirs and to make them meet for this Conjugal Relation And they have in their hearts the love and respects in part that are due to such a Relation as Christ is 3. They are related to Christ as members to the head He is their head and they are his members Eph. 5.23.30 And therefore they must needs have his nature and spirit to desire and naturally design intend and indeavour to exalt and honour him The members of the natural body do naturally honour their head and the head doth the same to the members 1 Cor. 12.26 So it is in the mystical head and body And it cannot but be so because of the oneness and mutual simpathy that is between them So then if you are new Creatures you are members of Christ and if members of Christ then you simpathize with Christ His reproach is yours and his honour is yours and you have a natural frame bent and disposition of heart to honour exalt and magnify him all you can and it is your delight joy to do it 2. Love esteem and respects that are in these Relations and flow from them to Christ do prompt and stir you up to Desire Chuse Design and endeavour to honour and exalt him Their strong and endeared love to and high esteem of him provokes and moves them to study project watch and labour all they can to please honour and exalt him The love of so many near and great Relations as they stand in to him must needs be very strong and fervent being in one subject They love and esteem him as their loving sweet and kind Head Father Husband as their Redeemer Teacher Comforter Crowner and Eternal Saviour and therefore they cannot but seek and endeavour his honour and exaltation They have eyes enlightned to see a transcendent Worth and glorious Excellency Beauty and Majesty in Christ and they see him As worthy of all Acceptation 1 Tim. 1.15 so of all glory and exaltation Neither Christ or his Excellencies are hid from them but the Glory of them do so shine into their hearts as greatly to draw forth their Hearts Tongues
when he proffers you the use and enjoyment of all They are your Priviledges and you need them Christ hath commanded you to observe them all and appointed to nourish comfort and educate your Souls in his Churches and with his Ordinances there Therefore do as the Primitive Converts were wont to do joyn your selves to some Church or Society of Regenerate Christians that there you may be fed with the Bread of Life The doors stand open for you and the Lord Jesus waâ—ts there for you to invite you in and welcom you You need the Lords Supper to strengthen and confirm you and the Communion of Saint 〈◊〉 a Church-state as means to secure and preserve you But I can only mention these things leaving the inlargement of them to your selves 6. If you find any good or profit to your Souls in and by my Ministry and Writing bless God and ascribe all the glory to him for all belongs to him and to him only But forget not to pray for me that I may be enabled by Divine Assistance to fulfil my Ministry and continue to hand out the Gospel of Salvation to you that the Name of the Lord Jesus may be glorified and your Souls profited and that I may be blameless before God and Men. 7. And lastly Continue in the good work and ways you have taken in hand and begun to walk in Have your eyes always to Jesus Christ keep fast hold of him and let your whole dependance be on him In him are all your Springs and it is he that hath the keeping of your Stock of Grace He can and will supply you with all Grace and preserve you unto his Heavenly Kingdom Therefore live upon and stay your selves on him Run your Race and finish your course in his hand and you shall obtain the End of your Faith the Salvation of your Souls Which that you may do is the prayer and earnest desire of Your Cordial Friend S. F. ETERNAL GLORIFICATION BEGUN IN REGENERATION OR A Discourse of Regeneration From John 3.3 Jesus answered and said unto him verily verily I say unto thee except a man be born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God Beloved I Shall begin this Lecture which you have desired and are now waiting on with the Doctrin of Regeneration because it is one of the great fundamental and Soul-saving Doctrins that you should first understand and be early and experimentally acquainted withall Here God begun with Ignorant and unregenerate Nicodemus and here he begins to open the door of everlasting Life unto such as he will save and by Regeneration you must begin to seek for and expect Salvation and eternal Glory It is the Lords fixed and constant way to send down and infuse into the hearts of men the first fruits of Heaven in order to his possessing them in the fullness of everlasting Glory in Heaven The seeds of special grace sown in the Soul in Regeneration are the earnests and first fruits of Heavens glory And as it is a certain Truth that without Regeneration here men cannot be saved hereafter so it is as certain that whoever are really Regenerated here they shall be saved hereafter This is a Truth that nearly concerns every one of you and therefore requires your serious attention and consideration for here God will begin to save you if ever you be saved The words in the Text are spoken by Jesus Christ unto Nicodemus as you may read in the 1. 2. verses The subject matter of the Text is or contains Regeneration or the Renovation of men in order to their eternal Salvation and they are spoken to and intended for us as well as Nicodemus because we are all by nature in as had and miserable a condition as he and stand in as much need of Regeneration and the Doctrin thereof as Nicodemus did when Christ spake these words to him and therefore observe how Christ words the matter verily verily I say unto thee except a man be born again That is unless thou Nicodemus to whom I do now immediately direct my Doctrin and other persons in thy present case and condition except a man that is thou or any other man be born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God so vers 5. And it is observable how the Lord Jesus ushers in the matter or Doctrin of Regeneration in the Text and vers 5. t is with a double asseveration verily verily Text and again verily verily 5. vers which informs us of these four things First that the matter of Christ was speaking of was a very great and weighty matter indeed and such as Nicodemus and other men were indispensibly bound on pain of eternal death to take notice of and concern themselves about with all possible diligence and faithfulness for it was for their Lives except a man be born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God that is he cannot be saved And therefore he quickens and provokes the minds of men to ponder the matter and lay it to heart by his verily and verily I say c. 2. That we are dull of hearing and slow of heart to believe and apply this great Doctrin to our own Souls but to imagin and fancy that we stand in no or very little need of it and therefore may overlook slight and neglect it as most men do 3. That the Lord Jesus is very serious hearty and earnest with men in perswading them to seek after Regeneration and that he doth really and unfainedly desire to see them serious in that so great concern of theirs and to labour after it to purpose 4. That there is such a thing as Regeneration and that men may be Regenerated if they will not slight and oppose it These and other such things were in the eye and heart of Christ towards men in speaking thus to them which he would have them believe and think on in his verilies I shall have occasion in my proceedures to speak further to this Text and therefore shall speak no more of it now but proceed to what I intend to commend to your serious considerations These are the most material heads I am to discourse on which I shall do by way of Question and Answer Quest What is Regeneration wherein does it consist or what does it contain or import Answ Regeneration is a special powerful and saving work of God on a sinner changing and renewing his whole man by infusing a measure of the Spirit and special grace of Christ into him through the Ministry of the Gospel and that for holy and gracious ends and purposes This is the best definition I can give you of Regeneration and I think it will serve and do well enough if rightly understood and improved by you If any material thing be found wanting it may be afterward supplied I shall take abroad the parts of the definition and briefly clear and prove it and then proceed First You have the Author and Worker of Regeneration that is God God is the
so careful and diligent as you might and ought to be to avoid and reject them Regenerate men are too to often deluded and ensnared by these and such like temptations and fancies about Sin and duty which proves very destructive to their peace and communion with God and exceedingly obstructive to their trading in Godlyness and universal obedience as many can sadly experience Therefore I advise you yea the great God advises and exhorts you to get the whole Trade and course the whole matter and way of Godliness all your works and duties moulded and framed in you and take up fixed peremptory and unchangable purposes and resolutions notwithstanding temptations to the contrary to take up with and really to practice all your duties and the whole will of God that is or shall be made known to you Thus did David Psal 119.30 I have chosen the way of Truth thy judgments have I laid before me And I will never forget thy precepts Vers 93. And again says he I have sworn and I will performe it that I will keep thy righteous Judgments Vers 106. Paul and other Saints did so and it proved very advantagious to them They had their Trade and work of Godlyness fixed formed and setled in their Judgments Mindes Wills and Consciences They knew or did endeavour to know the whole service of their work and business and as they grew into Acquaintance with it so they took it into their hearts and consciences and there it became a stated and a vowed interest of theirs which produced as a meanes their so willing ready steady and constant practice of Godlyness and frequent Trade Phil. 3.20 do you so too and you will find the like effects Fourthly Take up in Christ Live walk and Trade in Godliness in from and by him He is the Authour of your new states and beings workes and duties from him you must still have fresh supplies The new Creature is but a Cistern without him it is he that can and must fill your Treasures Pro. 8.21 He it was who begot you to a lively hope and set you in your new states 1 Pet. 1.3.4 by the vertue and influence of his Life Heb. 12.2 and it is he who must and will nourish and cause to grow that which he hath begotten Hosea 14.8 That which I call here a taking up in and living on Christ is the same as I judge which the Lord Jesus calls abiding in him Joh. 15.4.5.6 Abide in me and I in you as the branch cannot bear fruit of its self except it abide in the Vine no more can ye except ye abide in me I am the Vine yee are the branches he that abideth iâ— me and I in him the same bringeth forth much fruit For without me ye can do nothing This is your exceeding great priviledge and happiness that you may and your indispensible duty that you must abide in Christ That is that you may and must take up in live upon derive all supplies of Grace from him as from your Root and Fountain In him are all your springs and he is the onely fountain of Light Life Strength Faith Hope Peace Joy and Consolation Remember what you heard before namely that he is the Keeper and great Lord Treasurer of all your stock portion and supplies God the Father sent and committed all into his hands for you and therefore be sure that you live on in and upon him for all good It is appointed you should do so God hath commanded you so to do and therefore it is your duty in and by this way and duty you shall obtain your portion and all supplies of Grace to enable you to discharge your duties and perform your workes and so it is your priviledge and happiness It is your priviledg and happiness to have such a stock and portion laid up and secured in his hands and that you may live in and upon him and have free access to him for it This is a duty thou owest to God and Jesus Christ yea 't is a duty thou owest thine own Soul By the wise serious and constant practice of this duty thou wilt greatly enrich thy self with all Grace and heavenly supplies Thou shalt be furnished thereby to every good work and made a fruitfull branch in thy Generatiâ—â— In Christ lay all thy Treasures and from 〈◊〉 is thy fruit found Col. 2.3 Hosea 14.8 Do thy duty and he will supply all thy wants make thee wise unto salvation and a fat and â—ourishing Member in the house of God Thou maist freely and securely trust him with thy all for thy God and Father who loves thee better than thou lovest thy self hath done so for thee Math. 11.27 Joh. 3.35 Col. 1.19 Col. 3.9 And thou that art a Regenerate Person maist ask what thou wilt of him and he will do it for thee and that because he loves thee is thy Trustee and hath thy stock and portion Fifthly Give God thy all Let him have thy all dedicated to him and laid out in his service and worke every day For thy all is all his and he expects of thee no less then thy all Whatever Talents thou hast he lent them thee and made thee his Steward to use and employ them for him in his worke and service God is the first cause and last end of all thy enjoyments he had himself in his eye and design when he gave or lent them to thee as the great end end he requires and expects to have the fruit of all thy Receivings It is true that he allows thee a share in them the Comfort of them is thine but the honour and Glory of them is his That is his part and portion the other is thine And therefore as thou hast thy part and portion in and out of them so be sure God have his also and that in the first place Let him not be put off with a part of your Receivings for he will have all or none Whether he hath given or lent thee much or little Grace or any other good things be sure when thou dost any service to or for him to lay out and expend thy all in it as much as possible for then thy little all shall be excepted and he will account thee a faithful servant and himself respected and glorified by thee not else whatever pretences thou maist make by way of excuse As you must not take up with a part of your work and duty and let the rest alone as was shewed so you that are new Creatures must not think to put God off with a part of your abilities and Receivings in his service for that is to deal deceitfully with him and rob him of his due He will have all or none God requires thee to honour him with thy substance and with the first fruits of all thine encrease Pro. 3.9 that is with thy all And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy Soul and with all thy minde Math.
his voice and live Joh. 5.21.25 And Paul tells us that our life is hid with Christ in God Col. 3.4 He is the Fountain of the Water of Life which he invites men to come and drink Rev. 22.17 Joh. 7.37 And he tells us further in Joh. 11.25 that he is the Resurrection and the Life and that whoso findeth him findeth life Pro. 8.35 So that Regeneration is a new Life a Heavenly Life and the Life of Christ Secondly Light special and peculiar Light By Nature we are blind walk in darkness and know not whether we go because darkness hath blinded our eyes we know neither Christ nor our selves there is a Vail before our eyes so as that we cannot discern spiritual things and matters spiritually they are all Mysteries unto us and we cannot see them so as to love prize and esteem them more than our lusts and the things of this world So the Gospel tells us that by Nature we are in darkness Eph. 5.8 Acts. 20.18 and our calling is out of darkness 1 Pet. 2.9 and the Light that is Christ shined in darkness that is in mens hearts Joh. 1.5 And we are told that men by Nature are not only in darkness but that they love it or to abide in it Joh. 3.19 Now in Regeneration God causeth light to shine in our hearts to give us the knowledge of the glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ 2 Cor. 4.6 And we are brought out of darkness into marvellous light 1 Pet. 2.9 and by this light we are enabled to discern heavenly and spiritual things spiritually 1 Cor. 2.9 10 12 13 14 15. Our sin and hypocrisie from God hath brought us into a Dungeon of darkness and therefore it is absolutely necessary that God should give us spiritual light in Regenerating us to make us teachable and tractable to know his will and do it for without this Light we cannot know nor do it aright Thirdly Faith Christ gives men Faith that they may believe in him and in God the Father as he commands them to do Joh. 14.1 1 Pet. 1.21 1 Joh. 8.23 Joh. 6.22 Men have no Faith I mean no special and peculiar Faith of their own whereby they can rightly believe in Christ unto Salvation Heb. 10. ult and therefore they must have it from him and from him they have it in Regeneration for he is the Fountain of Faith as well as of Life and Light All things are delivered to him of the Father Matth. 11.27 and it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell Col. 1.19 that of his fulness men might receive Grace for Grace Joh. 1.16 Christ commands them to believe in him and tells them that in so doing they shall have Eternal Life Joh. 3.16 and that they may so believe and obtain Eternal Life he bestows of his own Faith upon them which is a part of their New Life or Regeneration This is a lively Faith 1 Pet. 1.3 of the Operation of God Col. 2.12 and it is given them in the behalf of Christ Phil. 1.29 And in Eph. 2.8 't is said not to be of our selves but the gift of God and presently subâ—oyns verse 10. that we are Gods workmanship created or regenerated in Christ Jesus unto good works whereof believing is the most excellent Joh. 6.29 And in 1 Pet. 1.3 the Apostle tells us and blesses God that he had begotten some Souls to a lively Faith or Hope which shews that Faith and Hope are part of the New Creation And the Faith whereby we believe in Christ unto the saving of our Souls is called the Faith of Christ Rom. 3.22 Eph. 3.11 12. The Faith that meer natural men have it is a dead Faith Jam. 2.20.26 but the Faith of Christ is a part of the Life of Regeneration We do not first believe that we may be quickned and Regenerated but we are first Regenerated by the Spirit of Faith and then we believe with a living lively and with a heart-purifying Faith Acts 15.9 Fourthly Hope Hope is a Grace of Christ and a part of our Regeneration or of the New Creature in us Hence Regenerate persons are called Children of Hope 1 Joh. 3.3 and in Col. 1.27 it is said that Christ is in them the Hope of Glory Unregenerate men are said to be without hope while they are without God in the world Eph. 2.12 and when they are savingly called or Regenerated they are said to be called in Hope Eph. 1.18 and all believers are called in one Hope Eph. 4.4 that is all have the same grace of Hope given them in their calling and in 1 Pet. 1.3 before-named they are said to be begotten again to a lively Hope by the Resurrection of Christ from the dead Fifthly Love Love is another Grace given from the God of all Grace in Regeneration Such as loved not God before above the Creature are enabled by Regenerating Love to love him mostly heartily obediently and constantly This Love is shed abroad into the heart by the Holy Ghost Rom. 5.5 and God is said to give it to men by circumcising that is by regenerating their hearts Deut. 30.6 This is one of the Laws that God promises to write in their hearts Jer. 31.33 God requires men to love him with all their hearts minds and strength Matth. 22.37 and that they may so do he Regenerates them that is he gives them Regenerating Love and this Grace helps to compleat the work of Regeneration in us This Love is a Beam a drop of that Love wherewith he loves his Elect and therewith Regenerate persons love God again with the same love that he loves them it is the same for kind though not of the same degree so that he who loves not God with all his heart is not Regenerate but he that doth is certainly Regenerated Sixthly Fear Men have cast off the fear of God and fear not to offend him but God will be feared by men and requires them to do it all the day long Pro. 23.17 Men indeed are naturally afraid of Gods Judgments when they see or seel them but they are not afraid of provoking God by their disobedience and rebellion men have cast the fear of God behind their backs but God will have some hearers of him and therefore he puts it into their hearts Jer. 32.39 40. that with his Grace of holy fear they may indeed stand in awe of him and sin not Psal 4.4 There are no men in the world that fear God aright but Regenerate persons and the fear of God being a part of their Regeneration they do from the day of their New Birth begin to fear him and ever after they are called Fearers of God Psal 115. The Eye and Commands of God keep them in awe God hath put fear into men and beasts to be a means to cause them to preserve themselves and to keep them from hurting one another So in Regeneration God puts his holy spiritual fear into their hearts that they may not
Death purchased their freedom and liberty Tit. 2.14 but it is made theirs by or in Regeneration Then he opens the Prison doors Isa 61.1 turns the Devil out of his Throne Luke 11.21 22. breaks off their bonds and brings them out sets them at liberty and lets them go free and all by virtue of his blood in pursuance of the Covenant Zach. 9.11 Now they are said to be free from sin and become the servants of God Rom. 6.22 and the wicked one toucheth them not 1 Joh. 5.18 In Regeneration Christ leads Captivity captive Eph. 4.8 It is a great real and Everlasting Freedom that men have in Regeneration they shall no more return into Captivity If therefore the Son shall make you free ye shall be free indeed Joh. 8.36 Hence they are ever after Regeneration called the Lords Free-men 1 Cor. 7.22 for by Regeneration they are put into the state of liberty not upon condition or for a time but for ever They are free from the Ruledom of Sin and Satan from the Law of sin and death by the Law of the Spirit of Life Rom. 8.2 By Regeneration they are made free to and for God and Holiness to serve him without fear in righteousness and holiness all their days Rom. 6.22 Luke 1.74 75. So that now they have nothing else to do or mind but how as Free-men to walk worthy of their new state to live unto God and bear fruit to his praise and glory for they are now in a secure state of freedom and liberty and need not fear the loss of it Fourthly By Regeneration we are put into a state of Relation to God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son In our unregenerate states we are the Children of the Devil Joh. 8.44 are his subjects and servants and also the servants of sin Rom. 6.17 18. and then we stood in no special Relations to Christ For when we are made free from sin by Regeneration then and not till then we become the Lords servants Rom. 6.22 God is indeed related to us as our Creator and we are related to him as we are his Creatures but this is no special Relation for the Devils are so related to God But Regeneration puts us into several special Relations 1. Into a Conjugal Relation Christ is Married to them and they to him 2 Cor. 11.2 Cant. 2.16 Christ is their Husband and they are his Wife as the Song of Solomon shews 2. God is their Father and they are his Children not as by the first Creation but by Regeneration Joh. 1.12 2 Cor. 6. ult Isa 9 6. Heb. 2. 3. Christ is their Head and they are his Members Eph. 5.30 4. Christ is their Lord and King and they are his Subjects and Servanti Col. 2.6 Rom. 6.16.22 Psal 2.6 5. Christ is their Shepherd and they are his Sheep Joh. 10.11.14.27 6. Christ is their Prophet and they are his Scholars Acts 3.22 23. These are some of the near Relations that Regenerate persons stand in to Christ and they are instated in them by Regeneration for then they are contracted to Christ I have says Paul espoused you to Christ 2 Cor. 11.2 namely by the means of his Preaching to them and so they are made Sons and Daughters Gal. 4.5 Fifthly In Regeneration men are put into a state of Righteousness and Justification not that they are Justified by Inherent Grace or because they are Regenerated but that God doth by Regenerating them enable them to take hold of Christ and believe in him unto Justification of Life Rom. 5.18 Rom. 3.22.25 So also for that God doth actually and personally justifie men when he Regenerates and makes them New Creatures Before Regeneration men are in a guilty state they are in an unrighteous and as such in a condemned state and condition but by the means of Regeneration they are enabled to believe receive and apply the Righteousness of Christ unto themselves and they can go to God the Father and take out his Acquittances and promised Discharges Pardons and Acceptance bring home and apply all unto themselves and so God accepts them acquits and forgives them discharges them of and justifies them from and against all Crimes Accusations and Indictments whatsoever and puts them into a Justified state or into a state of Righteousness and Justification upon their believing in him with the Faith given them in and by their Regeneration Rom. 8.33 34. 2 Cor. 5. ult Rom. 3.24.26 1 Cor. 1.30 Sixthly Regeneration puts men into a state of Friendship with God By Nature we are all Enemies to him and God seems to be and to carry himself towards us as an Enemy Rom. 5.10 Isa 63.10 yea we are by Nature worse and more than Enemies for being in Friendship with the World we are at Enmity with God Jam. 4.4 But Regeneration makes a great change for it makes us Friends to God and God carries himself Friendly towards us The old Enmity is turned into a sweet real and comfortable Friendship God carries himself Friendly and as a Cordial and great Friend to us and so do we in measure unto him we have his Heart opened to us in love and kindness and ours are opened unto him in duty love and obedience There is a great kindness familiarity and communication between God and Regenerate persons and they do greatly delight in one anothers company Isa 62.4 Isa 58. ult Pro. 15.8 This Friendship between God and New Creatures is a real not feigned Friendship it is a heart-endearing and Soul-knitting Friendship it is a pleasant and delightful Friendship it is a sure and well-grounded Friendship and it is a constant and perpetual Friendship it is such a knitting and fast Friendship as that neither Sip or Satan can possibly desolve In and ever after Regeneration God calls his New Creatures his Friends Luke 12.4 Joh. 15.13 14. Isa 41.8 Jam. 2.23 and God and them declare themselves true and choice Friends indeed to each other by their love and loving one another at all times which is the property of a true Friend Pro. 17.17 Seventhly and lastly They are by Regeneration put into a state of Grace By Nature men are not only sinful but they are in a state of sin and death they are dead in sin and sold under sin yea they are altogether sin Eph. 2.1 Rom. 3 10-20 As their services to God are so are they they are iniquity Isa 1.13 It is their name character and nature Rom. 5.8 Gal. 2.15 But Regeneration sets men in a state of Grace for although after Regeneration they have much sin and filthiness in them yet their state is accounted and called and it is really a holy state and after Regeneration men are never accounted and called sinners but Saints holy Brethren the People and Children of God and the like for they have their new Names from their new States As the Apostle speaks to the Ephesians Ye are saith he no more Strangers and Forreigners but Fellow-Citizens of the Saints Eph. 2.19 so
themselves and not at all to God 14 No man can be made free of the Heavenly City and Spiritual Corporation nor be set at liberty from bondage and thraldome but in and by Regeneration All men are by Nature in bondage to the Devil and Lusts as you heard before but Regeneration is the year or day of Release and Enlargement to imprisoned Souls for then comes Jesus Christ opens the Prison doors and brings out his Prisoners Joh. 8.36 Gal. 5.1.13 until then they lye in the Dungeon of darkness bound hand and foot with Fetters of Iron and shut in under Impenitency Ignorance and Vnbelief and cannot get forth until the Jubilee comes and proclaims Liberty to them Isa 61.1 2. Zach. 2.11 Then are they made Free Citizens of the New Jerusalem and have their Freedom given them to live and Trade in Heaven for heavenly and everlasting Commodities Eph. 2.19 Phil. 3.20 Behold the necessity then of Regeneration 15 No man can be actually and personally justified pardoned and acquitted without Regeneration but are held under the Guilt and Curse of the Law for they must first believe unto Justification of life before they can obtain a discharge and take out an Acquittance under the Hand and Seal of the Holy Ghost Eph. 1.13 Rom. 5.18 but this they cannot do for want of Faith until they are Regenerated and thereby made partakers of this glorious Grace 16 No man can fear God aright namely with a godly filial fear nor indeed can he stand in awe of God and sin not or walk in the fear of God all the day long as commanded Pro. 23.17 Psal 4.4 until they be Regenerated for who can so fear and reverence God until God put it into his heart to do it Jer. 32.39 40. for if they could and had they wherewithal to do it without this Grace of God to what purpose hath God promised to do it himself and declared it to be a choise and singular Gift and Grace of his own giving and working in their hearts I will says God put my fear into their hearts that they may not depart from me and that they may fear me for ever And how can men fear God with a filial or Child-like fear until they are made Children by Regeneration and begotten again by his Word and Spirit 1 Pet. 1.3 Jam. 1.18 Joh. 3.5 17 No man can make the Glory of God his greatest end and aim and really design to please and honour God in his words and deeds without Regeneration therefore it is absolutely necessary We are indispensably bound to make God the chief and great aim and end of all our undertakings and to seek design and endeavour with all possible seriousness and diligence to please honour and exalt him 1 Cor. 10.31 Col. 3.23 Pro. 3.9 Col. 1.10 1 Thes 4.1 But this we cannot do until a new Spring of Life and Divine Principles be put into us by Regeneration for we are by Nature wholly selfish are quite swallowed up in sinful carnal self Self is the principle motive and end of all our thoughts words and deeds Self-pleasure profit ease honour and security have only Self in the bottom and top of every Good as well as Evil in Religious as well as Civil works And how can it be otherwise with us the Fountain of our Natures being so miserably corrupted and depraved as it is And it is a truth that the Streams cannot rise higher than the Fountains from whence they come 18 No man can be the object of Gods delight and complacency until he be Regenerated because they have nothing that is lovely and desirable in them Before Regeneration men are hateful vile and abominable in the sight of God as hath been shewed as they are sinners and unwashed It is the Nature and Image of God that is the Object of Gods delight and complacency in men for the God of Holiness cannot look on iniquity he is of purer eyes than to do so Habuk. 1.13 and this Nature and Image we have not until we are Regenerated and made New Creatures by Grace for till then God looks on us as in our blood Ezek. 16. Rom. 3. 1 Cor. 6.9 10 11. and stamps his own Nature and Image on us to make us clean pure lovely and delightful in his eyes He beautifies men with his Ornaments that he may take pleasure in and rejoyce with them Zach. 3.17 19 No man can claim a Right unto and Interest in the Covenant and Promises without Regeneration for they are not under neither have they any interest in them whilest they lay in their blood and continue in their state of Enmity against God No man can be interested in the Promises and Covenant of Grace and Life that is not interested in Christ and no man is interested in Christ until he be a New Creature All the Promises are in Christ 2 Cor. 1.20 and they are made ours by virtue of our having of and being in Christ and when we are in Christ all is ours 1 Cor. 3.21 22 23. and not till then then we may claim and use them as ours but not till then 20 No man can be in a state of Grace and Life without Regeneration no man can be a holy gracious and good man until he be Regenerated Whatever good things he may have act and do yet he is in a state of sin and death still until he pass under Regeneration He may be washed without yet he is a Swine still he may put on Sheeps cloathing but he is a Wolf still he may be enlightned but is in a state of darkness still and he may believe many Truths and yet be an Vnbeliever still 2 Pet. 2.20.22 Matth. 7.15 Heb. 6.4 Joh. 8.30.44 Acts 8.13.23 But I see I must contract my self lest I run beyond my intentions and therefore shall briefly sum up what I have further to say on this Head that I may presently dismiss it Therefore I say that as we stand in absolute need of Regeneration for the Reasons and Ends already named so likewise for those that follow which I shall but name We cannot take up in God as in our portion satisfaction and only happiness without Regeneration neither can we chuse him for the great and only delight of our Souls without it We cannot have our wills bowed to and swallowed up into the Will of God nor freely chearfully and dutifully yield up our selves to his disposement without Regeneration We cannot rejoyce in Christ Jesus nor in tribulation and bearing the Cross nor yet in doing good and working Righteousness without Regeneration We cannot be dutifully and thankfully patient under and contented with an afflicted state and condition nor demean and carry our selves well in it without Regeneration We cannot be fruitful in every good work nor bear fruit unto Eternal Life without Regeneration We cannot highly esteem and set a due nor a right value on Christ his Person Blood Laws and Grace nor on the great love and kindness of God
God That we are translated from Death to Life and hereby know we that we are in him 1 John 2.5.3.14.5.19 And Paul tells us that they namely he and other Regenerate Persons had received the Spirit that they might know the things which were freely given to them of God 1 Cor. 2.12 Now if it was certainly known by the Saints of old such as run their Race before us then we may obtain it now for we live under the same God Christ Grace Promises Love Spirit and means of assurance that they did and we have as much need of it as they had upon all accounts And as we have these and many other Scripture Evidences or Examples I mean the Saints mentioned in Scripture so we have had many undoubted Testimonies of it in and from many good men in our days and the latter Ages before us How that some on their Death-Beds others in the days of their prosperity others in their tryals and temptations Some in one Ordinance of God and some in another some in Prison and some at the Stake some under the loss of their Goods and Reproaches for Christs sake have gotten clear and heart ravishing Assurance of their Regeneration and blessed States I say we have this Truth confirmed to us by their worthy Testimonies and glorious Experiences And assuredly what they had we also may obtain in the same way in and by the use of the same means and in the same or like case and condition 2. God hath commanded Regenerate Persons and so hath made it their Duty to get and keep assurance of their new States and God would never have prescribed such a means and commanded our diligent use of it as our duty in order to the obtainment of the end but that the said end is attainable by and shall most certainly be obtained in the faithful constant use of it For as his commands makes the work or means our duty so the End propounded namely of the duty to be done by us is the obtainment of assurance so I say it is an object of our Faith and Hope And upon Gods propounding it to us as the end of the duty commended we are to believe and hope in the performance of the duty to obtain the end that is assurance of our being translated from Death to Life namely that God will bless his own means to effect and accomplish his own ends to and in us and he will by no means disappoint us or make us ashamed of our trusting him hoping in and waiting for him to grant us the end he presented to us commanded us to seek it that we might find it and which we have endeavoured with all our hearts to obtain in his own way Isa 49.20 Isa 54.4 Now God hath charged us to examin and prove our selves 2 Cor. 13.5 And to give diligence to make our Calling and Election sure 2 Pet. 1.10 And to worship him in full assurance of Faith Heb. 10.22 that is in the certain perswasion of Gods Truth All-sufficiency and Faithfulness in his Promises and of Christ his being a High-Priest over the House of God vers 21. So likewise of our Interest and Right to and in all 4. God hath given us many Rules and Marks in his Word to help us in our Tryals of our states and to make a comfortable and satisfactory judgment of them whether we are indeed Regenerate or no. Very much of the New Testament was written for that end that we might know we have Eternal Life saith John 1 Joh. 5.13 All which Scripture had been to little or no purpose if assurance after all were not attainable But it is evident that it is attainable and that all Regenerate persons may attain unto and obtain it because God hath given them such proper and suitable means and helps for the obtainment of it There are many of them scattered up and down the Scriptures I 'le name one or two that in 1 Joh. 3.14 We know that we are passed from death to life because we love the Brethren that is here is a certain and infallible sign or mark of a New Creature his loving of good men that is if you can really say and soundly experience that you do love a holy man or gracious men as such rightly truly heartily with a spiritual and special love because they are such and belong to Christ why then you may conclude that you are in a state of Grace and passed from death to life So that if I can make good the lesser Proposition the Gospel will prove and make good the first or greater Proposition thus He that loves the Brethren that is rightly and in a true Gospel sense is passed from death to life but I do so love the Brethren therefore I am passed from death to life Now that which we have to do in the case is this namely to get the clear proof of the second part thus I do know that I do so love the Brethren according to the true purport and meaning of that and other Texts of Scripture and then conclude from this Scripture and others of the like import that I am passed from death to life that is I am Regenerated 2. An other sign or mark of Regenerate men laid down in Scripture is this that they desire the sincere Milk of the Word that they may grow thereby 1 Pet. 2.2 Now if I am a Babe in Christ I do desire the sincere Milk of the Word of God that I may not only eat it but eat it to grow thereby to grow up in Christ Grace and in the practise and fruits of holiness and if I do so desire the sincere Milk of the Word then I am at least a Babe or young Child of God But this is not my work or present design and therefore do but little more than mention these things namely to shew that Unregenerate and Regenerate persons may know the states and conditions wherein they are the one in and by sin the other in and by Grace But I thought good to say a little of it and but a little as a preparative to that which I have further to say and which was mainly intended as the subject matter of this Chapter Q. What are some of the most certain Signs Characters or Marks of Regenerate and Vnregenerate persons or states A. Much hath been said already in opening the work of Regeneration what it was and what was contained in it as you may see in that Chapter and therefore I shall say the less here But yet I shall endeavour to present so much unto you in this Chapter or Head as shall fully answer and resolve the Question First A Regenerate person hath new life It is a New Creature Gal. 6.15 and it is a living lively Creature it is not born dead but alive it is alive to God to live unto him in newness of life Rom. 6.4.10.11 To bring forth fruit unto God Rom. 7.4 And men are created in Christ Jesus unto
and hate what we should Love We Love Gods enemies and hate his friends we hate his Laws Rods Yoke Waies People and love our Lusts the World Self and the Service of sin But Regeneration sets holy and God Pleasing Love and hatred in us So that now by the power of his Regenerating Grace we love that which we should love and hate that we should hate that which was our duty to have done before now we can do Now we can and do love holiness and hate loath and abhor our lusts and sins Now we hate the workes of the flesh and love the workes of the Spirit And as the passion of love is strong and intense on its Objects so is this of hatred likewise The man in whom this new holy hatred is did never more really heartily and fervently love his lusts and the fulfilling of them than he doth now hate abominate and endeavour to destroy them 1. Cor. 9. ult Gal. 5.24 They that are Christs namely by Regeneration have Crucified the flesh with the Affections and Lusts David tells us that this Affection or Passion was strong in him as well as that of love Psal 119.104.113 I hate every false way and I hate vain thoughts but thy Law do I love Blessed Paul Speaks likewise to the same purpose of himself Rom. 7.15 But what I hate that do I. I do sin its true But I can say that my sin is the great and only Object of my hatred that 's as true also God hates all Iniquity in all men Psal 45.8 Ja. 44.4 and he puts the same Affection or passion into his people in Regeneration that they may hate it also All sin is exceeding sinful loathsome and abominable to the new creature for its own sake in its own nature and as it is hateful to God The evil and pernitious effects and Consequences of it makes or renders it the object of their constant hatred also They that are Spiritual minded and are in the pursuit after Grace Christ and Holyness to perfect it is the fear of God as Commanded 2. Cor. 7.1 do hate their sin because it hath deprived them of and spotted the Image of God in which they were created Gen. 1.26 2 Because it hath robbed God of his due Worship and Service for which he Created them 3 Because it hath occasioned the great debasement and Suffering of the Lord Jesus For had not men Sinned Christ had not Suffered 4 Because it grieves and vexes the holy Spirit of God Isa 63. Eph 4.30 5 Because sin devides and separates between God and them Isa 59.1.2 6 Because it doth defile and pollute all their holy things and would quite marr and spoyl them did not their great High Priest appear for them to purifie their Offerings Exod. 28.38 7 Because Sin doth clog and burden them so as that they cannot Run their Race nor do that good they desire and are resolved to do in this world Heb. 12.1 Rom. 7. 8 Because their sinful hearts draw them off from God and indisposes them to and for their walking with God 9 Because it betrays them into the hand of their great Adversary the Devil and strengthens him against them 10 Because by sin God is dishonoured and his holy Name blasphemed his Truths despised and his blessed ways rejected These and such like considerations of sin greatly provokes and stirs up the holy hatred of sin in all Regenerate men as they can experience There is in them a universal perpetual and irreconcilable hatred of all sin especially such of their own sins as do more easily beset them Heb. 12.1 They hate the very name and appearance of sin all the Germents spotted with the flesh Jude 23. They dare not knowingly parly or hold correspondency with sin because the thought or consideration of it is most hateful and abominable 3. Fear New Creatures are the only real fearers of God The all-seeing Eye the Holiness Righteousness Goodness and Authority of God do awe them and cause them to fear and tremble before him Hosea 3.5 Isa 66.1.2 Jer. 32.39 40. They do now approach nigh to God and worship him with a holy and Godly fear and are enabled to walk in the fear of the Lord all the day long Psal 2.11 Heb. 12.28 Prov. 23.17 They are afraid of sin and temptations to it and dare not knowingly and deliberately come nean them but avoid and eschew the appearances and occasions of evil They are more afraid of the cause then the effects the sin then the punishment The thoughts of their danger they are always in and their aptness and proneness to transgress by reason of the deceitfulness and treachery of their hearts the strength and power of Lusts snares of the World and Satans fi◠〈◊〉 Darts do make them jealous fearful circumspect and watchful They see such a Majesty Excellency and glorious Presence in the holy God and Jesus Christ in his Names Offices Obedience Blood Love and Grace in his Laws Promises Ways and Ordinances which causes them to fear and reverence them erceedingly Psal 89.7 4. Hope Hope is another holy Passion or Affection in the New Creature Their hope is set on God the Father and Christ his Son Psal 78.7 Tit. 2.13 and on all the good things held out to them in the Promises called the blessed Hope Tit. 2.13 They have Christ in them the hope of Glory Col. 1.27 and they have Christ without them with all his fulness in the Covenant and Promises and in Heaven for them as their hope Every man hath the natural passion of hope but gracious men have the spiritual hope They hope for all the good of the covenant of grace fullness of Christs Grace and whatever may make them holy hear and happy hereafter The natural hope of unregenerate men is a groundless hope and the great things it is exercised about are but vain perishing worldly things and groundless hopes for a happiness heareafter Job 8.13.14 hence they are said to be withâ—â—â— hope in the world because they want the real spiritual and well grounded hope Eph. 2.12 1 Thes 4.13 But Regenerate men have a holy spiritual and well grounded hope and they by out and cast the Anchor of their hope on â—â—â—ings that are sure and unmovable on spiritual heavenly Soul-saving and eternal matâ—â—s and their hope is impressed provoked â—â—eng thened and quickned by them to hope more strongly steadily and constantly for the enjoyment of them They hope to obtain eternal Life in the Lords own way Tit. 1.2 not in the wayes of their own evil hearts as other men do They hope for the coming of Christ the exaltation and setting up of his Kingdome themselves to be like him and to see 〈◊〉 as be is 1 Joh. 3.2.3 Tit. 2.13 They hope for more light life and holiness from Christ and for greater measures of his Spirit to be poured out upon them in this world and they hope for more and more joy and peace in Believing Rom. 15.13
matters not at all in these They onely mind and follow the things of the Flesh whilst others do mostly mind the things of the Spirit Rom. 8.5.6 Phil. 3.19 20. Regerate men do mostly mind how to please God Carnal men how to please them elves Regenerate men do mind and endeavour to honour the will of God and obey it Carnal men do mind and endeavour to know their carnal Interests and obey the will of the flesh Regenerate men do live in Heaven converse with delight in and set their minds and affections on things above Carnal men do onely converse with live in delight in and set their mindes and affections on things here below Regenerate men do mind and endeavour to be rich in grace and good works Carnal men how to get and keep the good things of this world Regenerate men do make Religion their business Carnal men do make sin their profits and pleasures their business Regenerate men do live in the Spirit and walk in and after the Spirit Carnal men do live in and walk in the flesh and the things thereof These are some of the many differences and contrarieties of regenerate and unregenerate men which have now been presented to you to help you to try your selves and to make a right judgment of your states and conditions Therefore do you prove and examin your selves by them whether you are in a regenerate or unregenerate state yea or no. For as suredly if you be regenerated and born againe you may find many if not all these marks and characters of regenerate persons in and on you You are indeed such persons in measure within and without in heart and life as you have heard regenerate persons are And know that if it be otherwise with you and you care not to know or find such real signes of regeneration in you nor any other of like import that then you ought to fear and tremble judge your selves and conclude that you are as yet in an unregenerate state and condition and under the curse and wrath of God And if so let me in the name of Christ exhort and perswade you to go to God the Father in Christ his name and tell him how it is with you Fall down before him pray and beseech him to pitty you and give regenerating Grace and with all Importunity and Constancy cry to him and wait for him to come and give you new hearts stamp his Image and divine nature on you and now with all possible speed to convert and make you new Creatures indeed CHAP. V. Shewing there are but few reall Regenerate Persons among the multitudes of Professors Q. THere are many great Professors of the Name and good ways of Jesus Christ in the world which are called Christians May we think or judge them all Regenerate persons Are there many or but few Regenerate persons What shall we judge of this matter for all Professors do pretend to and would have men think them a singular and peculiar people such as are in a good and happy state and condition in which they cannot be except they are indeed Regenerated Ans That there are many great and high Professors of the holy Name and good ways of Jesus Christ is certain and that there are but few really Regenerate persons among them is as certain too That they have the Name and do own themselves Christians is also apparent but that they are not such in Truth I mean the greater number is clear and notorious as will appear by and by That they do pretend to and would have men think them to be what they are not indeed namely a singular and peculiar and a happy people is clear and that they are not so or such as they pretend to be is evident also Now this I shall the Lord helping prove and demonstrate to you as well as I can and I am sure I have clear proof for what I say That there are but a small number of Regenerate persons in the world Comparatively or if compared to the number of such as seem or profess to be such I shall evince by many Scripture Testimonies Math. 7 14. Because strait is the Gate and narrow is the way that leadeth to life and few there be that find it Mark it few there be that find it namely among or of those that seek it which the most of men do not They do not so much as seek to be Regenerated and saved in the Lords way But of them who do really though not rightly seek to enter in at the strait Gate I say that such Professors shall not find it This is further confirmed in Luke 13 24. Strive to enter in at the strait Gate says Christ why because many shall seek to enter in and shall not be able Another testimony is in Math. 20 16. For many are called but few are chosen So Math. 22 14. Christ calls his People A little Flock fear not little Flock says Christ to and of his true Disciples Luâ— 12 32. And the Apostle Paul assures us Rom. 9 27. That although the number of the Children of Israel be as the sand of the Sea a Remnant shall be saved Now who or what kind of men were they which are so innumerable and should not be saved were they the Heathenish world such as the Apostle saith Eph. 2.12 Are strangers without hope and without God in the world No they were the Seed of Abraham John 8 37. To whom appertained the Adoption and the Glory and the Covenants and the giving of the Law and the service of God and the Promises Rom. 9 4. They were Jews by nature and not sinners of the Gentiles of whom he speaks that they should perish and be damned And yet there was amongst them a little flock a small Remnant that should be saved but these were comparatively very few For what is a small Remnant in number compared with the innumerable sands of the Sea God tells us in Jer. 3.14 That he will take one of a City and two of a family and bring them to Sion What is one or two to a City and Tribe where were many thousands and yet you see these are the number of Regenerated and saved persons Thus you see the Truth Cleared and confirmed by many express Scriptures But I shall further prove and explain this Truth namely that there are but a very few Regenerate men comparitively to the multitude of high Professors thus First the Scripture or the holy God in his Word shews us that there are but a few a very small number that shall be saved as was shewed therefore there are but a few Regenerated for all Regenerate persons shall be saved 1 Pet. 1 3 4 5. The Lord Jesus that knows the number of them to a man having all their Names in the Book of Life and calls them all by their Names Revel 21 ult Joh. 10 3. tells us so and he knows very well what he saith He is the Truth its self